A long-lasting implant for HIV treatment
Ultra-long-acting Biodegradable and Tunable Polymeric Solid Implant for HIV Treatment Maintenance
This project is developing a long-lasting, biodegradable implant to help people with HIV manage their treatment without daily pills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115777 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people living with HIV find it challenging to take daily medication, which can lead to drug resistance and less effective treatment. This project aims to create a new type of implant that slowly releases HIV medication over a long period. The implant would be biodegradable, meaning it would naturally dissolve in the body over time. This approach could make it much easier for patients to stick to their treatment plan and improve overall health outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is ultimately for adults aged 21 and older living with HIV who struggle with daily medication adherence or have limited access to consistent treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who are able to consistently adhere to their current daily oral HIV medication regimen may not see additional benefit from this specific implant technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this implant could offer a convenient and effective way for people with HIV to maintain their treatment without the daily burden of pills, potentially improving health and preventing drug resistance.
How similar studies have performed: While daily oral HIV medications are highly effective, other long-acting injectable and implantable drug delivery methods are being explored and have shown promise in reducing the burden of daily pill administration for various conditions.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benhabbour, Soumya Rahima — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Benhabbour, Soumya Rahima
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.